Four additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the catastrophic collapse of the unauthorized four-storey Ramabai Apartment in Virar, Palghar district, which claimed 17 lives, including a one-year-old girl and her mother, on August 27, 2025, police confirmed on Saturday. The investigation, now led by the Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar police crime branch, has intensified scrutiny of illegal constructions in the region.
The incident occurred at 12:05 AM when the rear portion of Ramabai Apartment, built in 2011 and housing nearly 50 flats, collapsed onto a vacant adjacent tenement in Vijay Nagar, trapping residents during a child’s birthday party. Senior Inspector Shahuraj Ranavre revealed that the latest arrests include two women who owned the land and their husbands, who collected rent from tenants. The primary accused, builder Nittal Sane (47), was arrested earlier and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and violations of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.
The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) had flagged Ramabai Apartment as unsafe in May 2025, but no action was taken, prompting public outrage over administrative negligence. Rescue operations, involving the NDRF, local police, and fire brigade, concluded after 48 hours, recovering 17 bodies, including Utkarsha Jovil (1), Arohi Jovil (24), and Omkar Jovil (25). Nine others were injured and are receiving treatment.
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh compensation for each deceased victim’s family, while Minister Pratap Sarnaik assured temporary housing at Chandansar Samajmandir, with plans for permanent accommodation via MHADA. The collapse, exacerbated by heavy rainfall and structural weaknesses, has spotlighted the rampant issue of unauthorized constructions in Vasai-Virar, where 783 buildings were identified as dilapidated in a pre-monsoon survey. A high-level probe, ordered by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, aims to hold accountable those responsible for systemic failures, including former VVCMC officials linked to illegal construction rackets.
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